We’ll note our experiences of living and flying in southern Africa. We’ll share questions and our replies. We invite your comments. Follow our travels and maybe one day you, too, will come fly in Africa!

Friday, March 25, 2016

Navigation – Finding
your way on a Self-Fly Safari®

Getting where you want to go is key to being a happy pilot
and reliable navigation equipment is vital in your aircraft. Use your GPS.

A section of a the Livingstone WAC chart

A GPS is the standard
tool for most pilots – South African and foreign – in southern Africa. Jeppesen’s
“African International” database is
the download needed for navigation. While it includes all major airfields, small
bush lodge airstrips may not be shown. They are easily programmed into your own GPS.We’ll
give you these coordinates for your destinations in your pre-departure briefings.

It’s a good idea to bring your own portable GPS with the
Atlantic International database. You know how it works and what buttons to
push. There is a learning curve for working any “black box” GPS you’re not familiar
with. Bringing your own reduces your cockpit workload. Nonetheless, when you arrive in
South Africa we’ll loan you one of our portable GPS's with your route pre-programmed. We
use several older hand-held models including Garmin 295, 495 and an Aera 500. Some brokered planes have panel-mounted GPS’s such as a Garmin 430 or 530. There is good signal coverage throughout
southern Africa. Turn it on, do what it says, and fly to your next stop.

Tablets: We
supply pilots with Easy Cockpit®
- an electronic VFR moving map program for southern Africa designed for Android
and iPad tablets. It was developed by the same company that produces the Airfields Directory for Southern Africa the only such publication that exists. Both are included in the Self-Fly

Safari®package. You
can familiarize yourself with their materials on their web site: http://www.aviationdirect.co.za/index.php?page=easycockpit2. Easy Cockpit® screen presentation is similar to ForeFlight but not identical and it works a little
differently. ForeFlight is not suitable for our purposes as it doesn’t
have a database for southern Africa. Bring your own tablet. It needs to have GPS capability.

While you’ll use a GPS, you’ll always want other options.

VOR’s exist and
work at many major airfields in southern Africa. Within 50 - 70nm of aeronautical
hubs in South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe and elsewhere, signal strength is
good. However, VOR’s are often 100nm or more apart. You cannot fly seamlessly
from one VOR to the next. All planes we use have two Navcoms, such as KX-125, KX-155,
MX 300, or other.

There are also NDB’s
(and local radio stations you can tune in). However, aeronautical NDB’s are
being phased out and removed when they fail. Fewer and fewer aircraft have an
Automatic Direction Finder (ADF) on board.

ONC charts are the only paper charts available for some areas of southern Africa.

Charts: You’ll
also have paper charts with you – required by the CAA – as a backup. South
Africa prints VFR WAC charts (1:1,000,000) covering much of southern Africa.
The geography is good but the government has not updated aeronautical data on
most charts for decades. VFR charts for
Zimbabwe, Zambia and points north are long out of print. For these areas we supply Defense Mapping Agency ONC charts (also now out of print). The
geography and terrain features are accurate but they are unreliable for current
airspace.

Featureless terrain is common over much of southern Africa.

Situational awareness:
It’s always important to know where you are. It’s a good idea to refresh your basic
pilotage skills. Over reliance on a GPS can lull you into ignoring your progress
along a leg of your trip. GPS is reliable in Africa. But if the screen suddenly
goes blank – a dead battery or inadvertently pushing the wrong button – you still
need to get where you’re going.

Lakes are useful visual checkpoints butcan dry up in the dry season.

Brushing up on map reading is also useful during your validation check flight. Your instructor may ask
you to point out your current position on the aeronautical chart. Look out the
window, notice a landmark, and point it out on the chart. He may simulate a
problem ahead – say a thunderstorm – and ask you to divert to another airfield.
In this scenario you need to know where you are more than where you were
planning to go. Pilotage skills are useful.

segments. I keep a finger on the chart and note the
time we arrive at each check point. Used in conjunction with the GPS there is very
little guess work. If my GPS dies I’ll still have a good idea where I am and
what I need to do to get where I’m going.

Friday, March 18, 2016

AIRCRAFT – Which
plane should I use on my Self-Fly Safari?

The fleet of General Aviation aircraft available for rent in South Africa are older models with high air frame time. Their engines are all within TBO limits. All are well maintained by the owners – who also fly them – and receive 50-hour, 100-hour and Annual inspections. All AD’s and SB’s are mandatory under South African CAA rules.

Planes are certified “airworthy” before leaving base. They all have two radios and long-range fuel tanks (79 gallons, 75 usable in 182's) for conservatively-estimated 5.5 hours endurance. With proper leaning they’ll go longer. All have “steam gauges” (analog instrumentation). Privately-owned glass-cockpit aircraft exist in South Africa but have not yet been available for rent. Cirrus SR-20's and 22's are popular (there are more than 70 in the country) but are not let out privately. Single-engine Piper aircraft (Cherokee and Cherokee 6’s) are scarce on the rental market in South Africa. Low-wing aircraft are less suitable for aerial photography of scenes on the ground.

What plane is best for you?

To fly a South African-registered plane you need to have PIC
time in the type of aircraft you will fly before arriving in South Africa. That’s
the South African CAA rule. If you only have time in a C-182 you would not
be allowed to fly a C-172 or any other type of plane - except a 182. Even one hour in the specific
type (or an instructor’s sign-off in it) will make you legal. But, as well as
being legal, you want to be current and comfortable flying it. If you haven’t
flown it recently then log four or five hours in it before you come to
Johannesburg.

C-182: the standard bearer for bush flying

parties of 2 or 3.

Our experience is that a Cessna 182 is the best machine for a Self-Fly Safari. We own one
and manage a second. When we need more – for group safaris – we go to other 182
owners. All the 182's – ours and outsourced ones – are older (P
models, 1973 &1975).

C-206 with cargo pod is best for parties of 3 or 4.

A C-206 with a
cargo pod is the ideal safari aircraft for parties of three or four. We have access to two such planes – both owner-flown and well maintained. The insurance
companies insist on a minimum 50 hours in type and 500 hours total time to qualify
to fly these C-206’s. With luggage in the cargo pod passenger seating is comfortable if not spacious.

C-210: Often used when escorting groups and
for piloted Self-Fly Safaris.

A C-210 can also
be used for a Self-Fly Safari with three or four people. We prefer the 206 in
these situations for the simple reason that there are at least three fewer
things to go wrong in a 206 (landing gear).The same experience
requirements (50 hours type/500 hours total time) apply to qualify for
insurance.

C-172: pilot and one passenger only.

A C-172 may be adequate for a Self-Fly Safari itinerary but comes
with several shortcomings. Available 172’s in South Africa are mainly used as
student trainers. Compared with a C-182 the 172’s are slower, carry less fuel,
are more cramped, have a lower load capability, often have just one radio and,
cosmetically, look like well-used trainers.

Pilatus PC-12: smooth, fast, luxurious ride.

Larger aircraft: With a party of six or more for a safari, a larger aircraft is necessary. In these
scenarios a chartered Cessna Caravan or a Pilatus PC-12 may be just the right solution.
This is also one option if you have lost your medical or given up day-to-day
flying.

Cessna 208 Caravan:
plane of choice for parties of 6 - 10.

A South African validated license is not required as the
charter companies supply their own professional pilots. You’ll have the
aircraft at your disposal and more flying options as the planes are faster, and
carry the bigger load. You may be able to sit “right seat” and assist the
pilot. Although there are no instrument let-down procedures at most bush
air strips, the pilots are able to fly in IFR conditions and may be able to fly
when VFR-only flights are delayed.

Whichever plane you fly the experience of flying the African
bush is what it’s all about. Speed isn’t necessary. The legs aren’t that long.
You’re here to fly. Remember “Out of Africa”. You have honed the skills of a
pilot and you’re heading into new territory, new horizons, and a new adventure.
ATC has different accents but the plane sounds familiar and reassuring. The plains
below are dry and sometimes burned but pocked with watering holes and dotted
with elephant, buffalo and other thirsty animals. The GPS guides you to your
destination and you land on a dirt strip. You shut down and tie down. The
rangers carry your bags and take you to the lodge and the adventure continues
at camp.

Saturday, March 5, 2016

The Lodges – What kind of places will I be staying at in the bush?

Belmond Eagle Island Camp

The terms “lodge” and “camp” are used interchangeably in
southern Africa. They are privately-owned establishments and no two are
alike. Whichever ones you visit, two
things are certain: 1) this not “rugged”; and 2) you won’t starve. Indeed, your
accommodation will be first class and you’ll be offered good food and plenty of
it! Kitchen and maintenance facilities and staff quarters are located away from the guest area. The entire camp may be surrounded by a fence or open to the surrounding bush.

The
camp’s central lounge with couches
and chairs is a great place to relax after lunch and after dinner. This is where guests gather for game drives, eating and drinking, and to relax. It usually overlooks a plain
or watering hole where animals gather. You’ll find a small library of animal
and bird books. Coffee, tea and soft drinks are always available. The bar is open all day and, if it is not a
self-service arrangement, someone from the staff is always available to give
you a beer or pour you a drink. Offerings at afternoon tea, served just before
the afternoon game drive, will include sweet and savory delicacies.

Discussions at dusk over drinks

Before embarking on a game drive, the ranger will take orders for “sundowners” – drinks that are served from the land rover at a
scenic spot in the bush as the sun sets. For morning game drives you'll have a break for coffee, tea and snacks.

Each lodge is comprised of eight or more individual chalets or tents within a larger compound. This is where you’ll park your luggage and sleep. Each
has its own private bathroom with hot and cold running water and toilet.

Tented accommodation

Tents are large, canvas walk-in,
officer-style accommodations built on a cement slab or raised off the ground on
a wooden platform. Windows and doors are covered with mosquito netting and canvas flaps that can be opened or
zipped-closed to block light or a breeze. Tents may be placed under a tree and
have a shade canopy to keep them cooler during the heat of the day.

A desert chalet

Chalets are
similar but built with brick and mortar and normal wooden doors and windows. Thatch
roofs are common. Both styles often have a private deck or patio off your room
where you can sit outdoors to read or watch activity in the surrounding bush. Some
camps have private plunge pools at every chalet.

Interior chalet

Rooms are furnished
in the camps’ own unique style with charm and guest comfort in mind. Each will
have two twin-size beds, a small table, chairs, a closet and drawers for your
clothing, light fixtures, a sink, private shower and toilet. You’ll have clean
linens for the beds, pillows, blankets, towels and wash cloths.

Interior tent

Staff members make the beds and clean the rooms daily. Rooms
are supplied with basic toiletries, mosquito repellant and bug spray. Each bed
is likely to be draped with its own mosquito net. One or two-day laundry
service is available, often free-of-charge.

All camps have electrical
power. Most run on

12-volt systems powered by solar panels or a generator that
is run only during the day when guests are away from camp on game a drive. The
camp will have a centrally located “charging
station” where guests recharge cameras, GPS’s and other electronic devices.
Room lighting allows guests to read at night.
A few camps have main-line electrical power (240 volts, 50 Hz). Here you
can use hairdryers, curling irons and other high-draw appliances that cannot be
used at other camps.

The lodges are magical!
Each is different from the last and each is charming in its own way.
Service and attention to the guests is paramount. Rangers are enthusiastic and
persevering in their efforts to locate elusive game. Cooks take pride in the
meals they prepare. Room maids are
courteous and thorough in their work. At some camps the entire staff treats
guests to traditional songs and dance performances and invites guests to join
in the fun. Bush camps in southern Africa are a delightful experience to be
long remembered.

About Me

Americans Nick and Christina Hanks flew their Helio Courier from New York across the Atlantic, through Europe, and down the length of Africa to South Africa. Nick is a former journalist and Christina is an Anthropologist and founder of the Iroquois Indian Museum of Howes Cave, New York. The trans-Africa flight convinced them that flying small aircraft in Africa was a great experience. They found that no one was promoting the idea. Hanks Aero Adventures Inc is the result.